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Beginner's Guide to Bank Stalking
By: Hessian
(Lemont, Illinois)
For all the years I’ve spent fishing, the most enjoyable
and fulfilling activity for me has to be bank stalking. I’m
an outdoors kind of guy and love to be out in the wild, exploring
those out of the way little nooks that you’d never come across
in your run of the mill river fishing. You would be amazed at some
of the things you see on your expeditions. If you love exploring
new spots, or just taking in what nature has to show, I’m
sure you’ll enjoy this kind of fishing as much as I do.
In your outings you are likely to happen upon some great hotspots
that are untapped, and will more than likely see very few, if any,
other fishermen. These hot spots are a great bonus, and can be targeted
for some serious fishing by you on another day. I can’t even
begin to count the number of virgin hotspots I’ve come across
while bank stalking. They're always a thrill to find.
The most important thing for successful and enjoyable bank stalking
is kit selection. A badly put together kit can ruin an outing before
it even starts.
The basic items for a bank stalking kit are as follows:
Footwear
A good sturdy pair of hiking boots, walking shoes or sneakers.
I prefer hiking boots over walking shoes or sneakers, as they
provide more ankle support on rough ground. You don’t need
anything too flashy or expensive, just something that’s
going to give you good support, and most importantly, something
that is comfortable. You’re going to be on your feet most
of the time.
Backpack
A backpack is essential. You’re going to need this to haul
your stuff around in. Again, comfort is a must. I prefer one with
overly padded straps and some padding in the back panel. If possible,
get a backpack with a chest strap, this will prevent your pack
from slipping when you’re on the move.
Rod/Reel
Keep it small! Chances are you're going to encounter some thick
brush on your travels. A short rod will make things a lot easier.
I normally go for a 5-6’ medium/heavy action spinning rod
and a reel loaded with 20lb test fluorocarbon. This will handle
pretty much any fish you're likely to come across.
First Aid Kit
You will be off the beaten trail most of the time and, thus, out
of the reach of help if you get hurt. A fist aid kit is a necessity.
You can pick up a basic first aid kit that will suite your needs
fairly well from most outdoors stores, or most any drugstore.
Also, I’d suggest taking a mobile phone along as well.
Lures
This is totally a point of personal preference. I go for small/mid
sized lures. You’ll catch big fish on a small/mid sized
lure, but you're not likely to catch a small fish on a big lure.
Variety is the key, but don’t go overboard, the point is
to travel light.
Tackle Pack
This is an optional item. I use a small waist tackle pack on my
outings so that lures and terminal tackle are close at hand. Remember
you’re stalking those fish, and the window of opportunity
is normally only a minute or two. Being able to get your lure
to the fish quick will greatly improve your chances of getting
that fish.
Polarized Glasses
This is, by far, the most essential item in your bank stalking
kit. If you can’t see the fish in the water, all you're
in for is a nice walk and some pretty scenery.
Once you’ve got your kit assembled, and your car keys in
your hand, it’s time to hit the river and work on your technique.
When moving on the bank near the water, try to keep your profile
as low as possible, so as not to spook any potential fish. Also,
the lower you are relative to the water, the better you’ll
be able to spot fish, as the angle of refracted light from the waters
surface is reduced. This will let you see deeper into the water.
Remember: you're pitching your lure directly to the fish, not where
you think fish may be. So now you have to get it to the fish without
spooking it. I’ve found that the best technique is to pitch
your lure upstream and past the fish, letting the current arch your
lure into the fish's path, and then presenting it in front of the
fish’s nose.
Where to put the lure in the water is dependant on three factors:
1) your position on the bank relative to the fish, 2) the fish’s
position in the river, and 3) the speed and direction of the current.
With time and patience, knowing where to put your lure in the water
will become second nature.
All that is left for you to do now is to get out there and have
fun stalking and exploring those rivers and creeks!
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